Last of the Gaderene

"The creatures gradually burrowing into their mouths like fungus."

Writer: Mark Gatiss

Format: Novel

Released: January 2000

Series: PDA 2008

Featuring: Third Doctor, Jo

Synopsis

The aerodrome in Culverton has new owners, and they promise an era of prosperity for the idyllic village. But former Spitfire pilot Alex Whistler is suspicious – when black-shirted troops appear on the streets, he contacts his old friend Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart at UNIT. The Third Doctor is sent to investigate – and soon uncovers a sinister plot to colonise the Earth. The Gaderene are on their way...

Verdict

Last of the Gaderene was a very good novel! I thought this was a great addition to the era of the Third Doctor and it even seemed to go as far as concluding the run of the Roger Delgado incarnation of the Master which I thought was terrific and something I didn't expect. I liked the central premise of the book and the Brigadier and Jo having to deal with the Doctor not being around following his rewards in The Three Doctors was a fun dynamic. Of course, whilst he was away things got interesting on Earth, specifically in the village of Culverton and the Doctor's return to UNIT HQ was just in time to sort things out. The little glimpse at what the Doctor got up to without anyone keeping him in check was a lot of fun and I liked how he was on the escape from overthrowing a dictatorship! That was a good little side-show into the Doctor's life without a companion. I loved the way the Third Doctor era was captured in the novel and it was a fine choice to be reprinted as part of the fiftieth anniversary celebrations. I can't quite believe it's taken me eight years to get around to picking this book up after purchasing it as part of a Works sale. It was a great read though and the setting of the 1970s was presented ever so well and the connections to the Second World War with Whistler were fantastic. I liked how the story of his proposal was used and later came to connect events after losing his loved one and taking a lucky charm from the grounds. That charm turned out to be the ninth of nine keys crucial to the Gaderene and their efforts to squat on Earth with their home planet dying. The idea of the embryos coming through in the strange lightning was intriguing and I liked how efforts were made to explain why the elders couldn't travel through as their minds couldn't take it. Bliss was a a really good central villain and head of the Gaderene and I enjoyed the way the Doctor caught her out by testing her geographic knowledge of the Transvaal and its capital. The role of the spitfire in the story was wonderful and it had a really nice nostalgic feel. Jo's reaction when the Doctor stated that he was going to fly it was lovely! I thought the familial ties of the likes of Max and Ted Bishop with Whistler and Noah was excellent and their separate roles in the village despite being related was very good. I thought the Gaderene themselves were a decent enemy but the lack of any elders of the species hindered them slightly and the presence of the Master to oppose the Doctor was definitely needed. His introduction into the book as the inspector was magnificent. I was impressed with the pace of the book and the shorter chapters definitely helped with that in my opinion. I thought the chapter names were great as well with 'Night Takes Bishop' definitely being a highlight. I had a visible and audible reaction to the chapter ending after the Doctor was subjected to a battle with the trooper in the wind tunnel and the description of the blood descending from the engines was brutal. That was savagery at its best. The Doctor preparing to sacrifice himself with the ninth key removal after the system was in place to allow the Gaderene passage was admirable and I loved how the spitfire was used with Whistler firing and getting a somewhat lucky shot to break the chain and send the Gaderene back packing to their own world, and the Master with them who had been shot and seemingly had given up hope of staying in his current body. I thought that was a telling line and a nice way to potentially end his run. Overall, this was a really good read! 

Rating: 8/10